As sweltering heat waves come to rest in Delaware and air-quality alerts begin to mount, we are reminded of the ongoing impacts of climate change.
However, not everyone needs such a reminder. Neighbors are still reeling from the effects of Hurricane Ida last September, when they were forced from their homes, some never to return. Downstate, impacts from saltwater inundation and recent large-scale beach degradation serve as stark reminders of what is to come.
Climate scientists the world over have told us to drastically reduce emissions now if we want to curb the most devastating impacts of climate change over 20-30 years.
Sea level rise, temperature and precipitation scenarios done by nationally accredited organizations and by our own Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control paint a rather troubling picture if we do not take action on climate. By 2050, significant parts of our state are expected to see regular flooding, with some areas permanently inundated by water, and temperatures will continue to rise, placing strain on our health systems and citizens.
Our climate future is not set in stone. It’s not too late to reduce the impacts of climate change. Delaware can do its part to help curb emissions, combat climate change and increase community resiliency by passing the Delaware Climate Change Solutions Act.
This bill is one of the most significant pieces of climate legislation that the state has introduced and has broad and overwhelming support from the environmental community.
The Climate Change Solutions Act (CCSA) seeks to limit our greenhouse gas emissions to 50% of 2005 levels by 2030 and 90% by 2050, setting the stage for one of the strongest net-zero targets in the nation. It also sets clear directives for all state agencies to ensure that they do all they can, within their respective powers, to help us reach these goals.
The legislation clearly states that climate change has disproportionately impacted overburdened communities, that emission reductions need to be done equitably and that planning needs to be done with specific outreach to these communities.
The CCSA also calls for our Climate Action Plan to be regularly updated to ensure we are doing all we can to combat climate change and improve resiliency in Delaware.
Opponents will say that we cannot afford or have the right to take action on climate change. Yet nothing could be further from the truth. The time to act is now.
All agencies, including the departments of Natural Resources and Environmental Control, Transportation and Education, plus the Office of State Planning Coordination, Housing and many others, must be at the center of this transition, or we will never be able to achieve the equitable emission reductions necessary to combat this existential threat.
Regarding cost, Hurricane Ida alone caused around $3 billion in damages in Delaware. That was one storm, and still some Delaware families lost everything. During the Memorial Day weekend, numerous beach access points were closed due to the severe beach erosion caused by a storm last month, costing us tourism dollars. Simply put, what we cannot afford is to not take this issue seriously and act immediately.
Without these goals, we will continue to lag behind every state in our region except Pennsylvania, all of which have created statutory emission-reduction targets. Without robust planning, our state will continue to be caught flat-footed, as climate change wreaks havoc on our state. Without all agencies working together, we are fighting a losing battle with one arm tied behind our backs.
It will likely take at least a year to plan and start seeing changes being made after this bill is signed into law. That leaves us with only six to seven years to take the necessary actions to reduce our emissions by 50% by 2030, almost double the current goal of 26% by 2025. We cannot afford even one more year of inaction on this front, or we will struggle to meet the goals needed to protect our state.
That is why the environmental community, including the Sierra Club’s Delaware chapter, Delaware Interfaith Power & Light, the League of Women Voters of Delaware, the Citizens’ Climate Lobby, the Delaware Working Families Party, Green Building United, The Nature Conservancy in Delaware and 88 other local faith and advocacy organizations, are supporting the goals outlined in the Climate Change Solutions Act and urging the legislature to pass this bill this year.
These groups invite you to a rally for climate action at Legislative Hall in Dover on June 9 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Speakers will include student leaders, environmental advocates, social justice advocates, legislators and others. RSVP at tinyurl.com/rally4planet.
Dustyn Thompson is the advocacy and outreach organizer for the Sierra Club’s Delaware chapter. He resides in Wilmington.
